Inyo: Between Desert, Mountains, and History

Rounded rock formations, vast desert landscapes, and places with a rich history give a trip to Inyo a variety of highlights. Along with outdoor experiences, museums and historic sites offer a direct glimpse into the region’s history. You can plan your itinerary around a few distinctive landscapes and places to visit.

Rock Formations, Salt Flats, and Ancient Trees

The Alabama Hills consist of rounded rocks and eroded hills between the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. In the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, visitors can explore natural arches and see film locations. A free permit is required to camp at the designated primitive campsites there.

In Death Valley, hikes pass through deep canyons, across salt flats, over sand dunes, and into desert mountain landscapes. The visitor program also includes ranger-led tours, nature walks, terrace talks, and evening programs. Badwater Basin is in Inyo County and is the lowest point in North America—a distinctive geographical feature of the Death Valley landscape.

Mount Whitney is 14,505 feet high and the tallest mountain in the contiguous 48 U.S. states. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest offers a different view of the mountain landscape: some of the oldest living trees on Earth grow there. Bristlecone pines have survived for thousands of years in one of California’s harshest mountain environments.

Experience Local History

Manzanar National Historic Site commemorates a defining chapter in U.S. history. It was the first camp established by the U.S. government during World War II to incarcerate Japanese Americans. The former camp auditorium serves as the visitor center. Exhibits about daily life are housed in a restored mess hall and two reconstructed barracks in Block 14. Visitors can also take a 3.2-mile self-guided driving or cycling tour; park rules apply at the site.

The Eastern California Museum displays around 400 baskets made by the Owens Valley Paiute and Panamint Shoshone. Its exhibits cover the history of Inyo County and the natural and cultural heritage of the Owens Valley and Eastern Sierra. The Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site focuses on railroad history and a historic site: it is located in an old railroad depot dating to 1883 and on an 11-acre property.

Getting Around and Seasonal Planning

A vehicle is recommended for most visitors, as public transportation in Inyo County is limited. Bishop Airport offers seasonal commercial nonstop flights on United Express to San Francisco and Denver. If you plan to fly, check the schedule for your travel dates.

The scenic mountain road to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest climbs from the Owens Valley to elevations above 10,000 feet. It reaches the Schulman Grove Visitor Center and several hiking trails through the ancient bristlecone pine groves. Because of snow and winter weather, the road is usually open only seasonally. Check road conditions before setting out.

Events and Experiences in Bishop

The Owens Valley Radio Observatory holds a free, public open house each year, typically in early June. The program includes tours of parts of the observatory and information about radio astronomy. Visitors can also climb the catwalk of the 130-foot radio telescope. The date and program details may vary.

Mule Days in Bishop takes place over Memorial Day weekend. The program features hundreds of mules, a Saturday morning parade, arena events, concerts, and an arts and crafts fair in Bishop City Park; dates and program details may change. South of Bishop, Keough’s Hot Springs offers a large naturally heated swimming pool, a diving or soaking pool, picnic areas, and changing facilities. Operating details and conditions may vary. In the host community of Bishop, Blue Heron Farm offers seasonal pick-your-own activities for peaches, apples, and vegetables.

Discover more destinations: Big Pine, Kearsarge, Stovepipe Wells, Bishop, Lone Pine, Death Valley Junction, Independence, Tecopa, Olancha, Death Valley.

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